How much does a Physician Assistant make?

The average salary for a Physician Assistant is $141,334 per year in United States. Salaries estimates are based on 10795 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Physician Assistant employees in United States.

The highest salary for a Physician Assistant in United States is $182,337 per year.

The lowest salary for a Physician Assistant in United States is $110,152 per year.

If you are thinking of becoming a Physician Assistant or planning the next step in your career, find details about the role, the career path and salary trajectory of a Physician Assistant.

Physician assistants are compensated similarly to other medical and dental assistants. Physician assistants' pay is expected to grow over the next decade, as an aging American population and increasing demand for preventative care drives pay increases for all healthcare services. Physician assistants who work for the government or in private practices typically earn higher pay than those who work for elementary or secondary schools.

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Anonymous physician assistants rated their jobs on Glassdoor, and 71% of these health care providers are satisfied with their salaries. Advanced degrees, specialization in the field, and an average of $14,424.89 in additional pay each year can increase your earning potential.

You can make up to $228,483.27 after you build your job skills and gain significant experience as a physician assistant. When you're in the entry-level job market, expect to earn around $88,054.67 in your first position. You can increase your salary above the average of $126,900.96 by practicing at an outpatient care center or hospital rather than with a doctor's office or government agency.

You can increase your physician assistant salary by pursuing a high-paying subspecialty within this career. You can seek fellowship training in cardiovascular and cardiothoracic surgery, emergency medicine, plastic surgery, occupational medicine, critical care, and many other areas. If you have solid leadership skills, you can also improve your salary by qualifying for a role as a senior or lead physician assistant. The National Commission on Certification for Physician Assistants offers credentials for PAs in seven specialty areas. You can add these Certificates of Added Qualifications (CAQs) to your license by passing an exam given by the organization.

When you apply for a job as a physician assistant, you'll need to have an understanding of the salary range where you live and in your specialty area (if applicable). In an entry-level role, you can emphasize areas such as fellowship training, volunteer work, and research to negotiate a higher physician assistant salary. If you're coming in with a few years of experience, discuss the ways you brought value to your former employers and indicate whether you have a dedicated client base that might make the switch to the new practice with you.